Adjusting Home Insurance: How To Ensure You’re Properly Insured Annually

Posted on November 28, 2025November 18, 2025 by admin

The reality of the modern housing market is that prices can change substantially. Whether these changes increase or decrease your home’s value, a substantial change in any direction can greatly impact your home insurance coverage. To remain properly insured, you have to keep tabs on your home’s value. How? Here are some insights that will make it easier for you to stay on top of your home’s value and your home insurance. Shop home insurance with Blue Hen Insurance LLC, serving Middletown, DE.

How To Assess Your Home’s Value and Adjust Your Home Insurance

Every year, consider:

Any major renovations you’ve made that could have increased your home’s value or changed your insurance needs. For example, adding a pool to your backyard is a substantial investment that may require additional coverage and raise your home’s value.
What real estate websites are valuing your home at. Has it changed? If it has, you need to have your property appraised. Pay attention to whether other homes in your neighborhood have also risen or fallen in value to see if those changes match what’s reflected in the new estimated price of your home.

Once you’ve had your house appraised, use that amount to update your home insurance provider so that you can save money or ensure you have the right coverage for your home.

Compare Home Insurance Quotes With Blue Hen Insurance LLC

With Blue Hen Insurance LLC, serving Middletown, DE, we make it possible to easily compare home insurance quotes so you can get the right policy for your budget and coverage needs.

Weather perils your home insurance covers and ones it won’t

Posted on May 30, 2025May 28, 2025 by admin

Located in the Mid-Atlantic States, Delaware boasts a prime location on the Atlantic Ocean and also features beaches on Delaware Bay. It shares borders with Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. At Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE, we are an independent insurance agency that offers a high level of personal service. We are committed to ensuring that you have the appropriate home insurance to safeguard your Delaware home.

Flood Risk

A standard home policy doesn’t cover floods. You will need to secure coverage with a flood insurance policy. Delaware is highly susceptible to flooding, and with rising sea levels, the risk is expected to continue escalating. The National Flood Insurance Program provides flood insurance to residents in areas prone to floods.

Severe Thunderstorms and Hail

Delaware has experienced some of the most severe thunderstorms in its history in the last five years. To be classified as severe, a thunderstorm must produce hail of at least one inch in diameter or larger, and have winds over 58 miles per hour. These are most common in the spring and summer and are covered by standard home insurance policies.

Tornadoes

Since 1950, Delaware has experienced 78 tornadoes, 17 of which have occurred in the last 10 years. Most standard home insurance policies do cover damage caused by a tornado. However, flooding is not covered. It’s crucial to read your policy to see if there are any exclusions for tornadoes.

Hurricanes

Most home insurance policies will cover hurricane damage, but they may have a separate deductible, so be sure to discuss this with our agents.

Ice and Snow

Damage to your Delaware home caused by ice and snow will be included in a standard home policy.

In Middletown, DE, you can rely on our team at Blue Hen Insurance LLC. Reach out to us via call or email so that we can assist you with all your home insurance needs.

My Home Was Just Burglarized! How Can I Make A Home Insurance Claim?

Posted on February 28, 2025February 24, 2025 by admin

A home burglary can be a distressing experience. Fortunately, the professionals at Blue Hen Insurance LLC, servicing Middletown, DE, can assist you as you file a claim with your home insurance.

Burglaries are a covered event with typical home insurance policies, but before you file a claim, it’s always good to know what’s covered under your policy. Review your home insurance policy, or contact your insurance agent to get a copy if you don’t have one.

Steps to Filing A Home Insurance Claim

The first thing you should do when filing a home insurance claim is to contact your insurance agent. Your agent can connect you with an adjuster who will guide you through the home insurance process.

You may also have paperwork to fill out to get your claim started. Your insurance agent can direct you to any forms that may be needed to initiate the process. Here are some tips:

Keep all receipts for work that is done under your claim.
Document conversations with your adjuster and contractors to have a record you can refer back to later.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the burglary occurs.
Take pictures of the damage for your records.

What to Know About Your Deductible

Home insurance policies have a deductible. This is the amount you are responsible for paying when you file a claim with the insurance company. Find out your deductible by reading your policy or asking your insurance agent.

Need Help Filing A Claim? Call Today

If your home is burglarized, your insurance company is here to help. Call your insurance agent at Blue Hen Insurance LLC, servicing Middletown, DE, to learn more about filing a claim.

Understanding Home Insurance Exclusions: What’s Not Covered

Posted on November 25, 2024November 24, 2024 by admin

Home insurance can be a bit tricky for the average person, as they don’t fully understand what is and what is not covered in their policy. Reading through your policy on your own to figure it out can be challenging, especially if you don’t understand the lingo. At Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE, we’re here to help clarify these exclusions, allowing you to protect your home.

Common Exclusions to Be Aware Of

Home insurance policies typically cover a wide range of risks but don’t cover everything. For instance, most policies exclude damage caused by natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. You might need additional coverage if you live in an area prone to these events. Similarly, maintenance-related issues, like mold or pest infestations, are typically not covered, as they are preventable with regular upkeep.

High-Value Items and Liabilities

While your policy covers personal belongings, there are limits. High-value items such as jewelry, art, or collectibles often require additional riders to be fully insured. Without this extra coverage, you might not receive full compensation if these items are damaged or stolen. Additionally, certain liabilities, such as injuries from home-based businesses or specific dog breeds, might also be excluded.

How to Protect Yourself

To ensure you’re not caught off guard, review your policy thoroughly and discuss any potential gaps with your insurance provider. Understanding these exclusions can help you make informed decisions about additional coverage. Regularly updating your policy to reflect changes in your home or lifestyle is also key.

At Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE, we’re dedicated to helping you navigate these complexities. Contact us today for a detailed consultation, and let us help you safeguard what matters most.

What is Additional Living Expense Coverage on a Home Insurance Policy

Posted on August 30, 2024August 28, 2024 by admin

When a disaster strikes your home, such as a fire, tornado, or any other incident covered in your policy, we at Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE, understand that there is much more to consider than merely restoring your home.

During the period of displacement following an unthinkable event, extra expenses can arise as you navigate life after a catastrophe. These unexpected expenses can further exacerbate an already stressful situation, which is why your homeowner policy typically comes with additional living expense (ALE) coverage.

What is ALE Coverage?

Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage is a facet of loss of use coverage included in your homeowner’s policy. It offers the assistance you require to shoulder the additional cost you experience due to being displaced from your home. It’s usually a set amount, typically 20% of your home insurance coverage, and has a time limit for the use of coverage, usually 12-24 months.

ALE factors in the living expenses you pay above your ordinary everyday expenditures to live comfortably while your home undergoes repairs. While ALE doesn’t cover your belongings, here are some scenarios for which you can expect ALE to cover under your homeowner policy.

Temporary living conditions: ALE can assist with the cost of hotel stays, apartments, rental homes, travel trailers, or mobile homes.
Food Costs: ALE can cover meals when you’re staying in a hotel and have no kitchen access.
Other additional living costs: Typically, ALE pays for extra costs while you are displaced from your home, such as moving costs, storage rental, laundry expenses, extra utility costs, furniture rental, transportation costs, replacement clothes, and pet boarding costs.

Retain all receipts for these expenses and thoroughly document them for swift reimbursement. Also, remember your ALE limits, which allow you to budget wisely while awaiting the restoration of your home after a calamity.

For more information

If you have concerns or questions regarding your home insurance policy or desire to know more about ALE coverage, Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE, is here to help. Call us at (302) 696-2242.

Home Insurance for Cyberattacks

Posted on May 31, 2024June 4, 2024 by admin

A question we get more and more frequently at Blue Hen Insurance LLC, which serves customers in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and Texas from our offices in Middletown, DE, is "Does my homeowner’s policy cover cyberattacks?"

The answer to this question is "Mostly no." But Blue Hen Insurance can help you get the coverage you need. Your homeowner’s policy can help with some of the expenses that arise from a cyberattack on your phone or computer.

For instance, your homeowner’s policy may reimburse you for credit card fraud resulting from a hack of your smart devices.

But to get coverage for data recovery costs, home business interruption, and legal liability for a virus or worm transmitted from your computer, you will need personal cyber insurance. Personal cyber insurance is an add-on to your homeowner’s policy.

Your personal cyber coverage pays for removing computer viruses and reprogramming laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, Wi-Fi connections, and other home connections.

Your cyberbullying protection covers your losses from online harassment that results in wrongful termination, temporary tutoring for your kids, lost wages, and legal expenses.

Online fraud protection offers amplified protection from losses due to cyber intrusions into your credit cards and bank account.

Data breach protection covers your losses due to the theft of information belonging to others during a cyberattack on your computer. For instance, if your child was selling band candy and someone hacked their phone and stole customer credit card numbers, your personal cyber insurance would help.

Your personal cyber protection also helps you when you undergo a ransomware attack. Your insurance helps you hire experts to retrieve your files, and you may pay the ransom to regain control of your computer.

Blue Hen Insurance LLC, operating from Middletown, DE, offers personal cyber insurance in eight states. Call us today to get the protection you need!

Is Your Home Summer Ready?

Posted on February 28, 2024February 23, 2024 by admin

Experiencing Summer with Peace of Mind in Delaware

Cherishing the summer warmth in Middletown, Delaware, is an unparalleled experience. From the laughter-filled picnics to stimulating yard games and playful chasing with the kids on the sprawled-out lawns – summer is a treasure that Middletown, DE, families hold dear. This is one reason why the dependable services of Blue Hen Insurance LLC are sought by homeowners who understand the importance of safeguarding their precious memories.

Preparing Your Home for Summer

Getting your home ready for summer is equally crucial. This involves not just preparing a pre-summer checklist but also adhering to it. It’s advisable to test-run your air conditioning system before the summer heat wave hits. As the summer season is notorious for its storms and occasional flooding, inspecting your home for potential leaks, particularly in the basement, and checking your home’s siding and roof is ideal.

Addressing these details beforehand and taking preventive measures will save you time and money and offer you peace of mind. Are you planning a vacation this summer? This would be another reason to have your home’s alarm system checked and updated. Most importantly, is your home insurance policy still up-to-date? Prioritize setting your house in order before the summer festivities commence, ensuring an uninterrupted season of joy.

Reliable Home Insurance Solutions

Blue Hen Insurance LLC is here to provide assistance with your home insurance needs in Middletown, DE. Covering what is most important to homeowners is what we do best. Should you be in the market for home insurance or need more information regarding it, we are here for you. Our experienced team of friendly agents is ready to aid you with your home insurance inquiries. Contact us today for your peace of mind home insurance coverage.

How Much Homeowners Insurance Should Homeowners Get for Their House?

Posted on November 17, 2023November 30, 2023 by admin

Determining the right amount of homeowners insurance is a critical decision for homeowners in Middletown, DE. Make sure your home insurance adequately protects your home against damage and total loss.

Covering the Home’s Value

You first must know your home’s value. An appraisal or professionally done comps can show you its market value, and you might also want to estimate the cost of rebuilding it. Often, rebuilding is more than what a house would sell for.

The cost to rebuild is known as “replacement cost.” You can then get replacement cost coverage. This will generally insure your house for the cost of rebuilding it.

Regular Updates and Assessments

Keeping your insurance coverage up-to-date is crucial in ensuring it matches your home’s current replacement cost. This amount could be increased if construction expenses go up, or if you make any major renovations to your home.

If you need help assessing coverage after making a renovation or upgrade, we at Blue Hen Insurance LLC can help you determine your new coverage needs.

Potentially Important Additional Coverages

Depending on your home and its location in Middletown, DE, there are two other coverages to consider:

Rebuild to Code Coverage: Should your house need to be rebuilt, this may pay for any additional costs required to meet current codes.
Flood Insurance: If your home is in a flood zone, flood insurance can provide protection that homeowners typically don’t.

Schedule A Consultation Today

At Blue Hen Insurance LLC, we’re committed to helping homeowners in Middletown, DE, navigate the complexities of homeowners insurance. Contact us to ensure your policy reflects the true value of your home and provides the protection you need.

5 Ways to Accident-Proof Your Home

Posted on August 24, 2023September 5, 2023 by admin

Home accidents are a common occurrence across the country. By taking some necessary precautions, many of these accidents can be prevented. These tips from Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE can help you create a safer home environment to minimize the risk of accidents.

5 Ways to Accident-Proof Your Home

Clutter

Get rid of clutter that’s blocking your entryway, halls, or stairs so people can travel these areas safely without tripping and falling. The old adage “a place for everything and everything in its place” can help prevent accidents and create a neater, safer environment in which to live.

Stairwells

Install handrails for your stairs to make them safer to travel. If your stairs are carpeted, make sure there are no loose edges sticking out that can cause people to trip and fall.

Area Rugs

In like manner, make sure all rugs have slip-resistant backings or pads to keep them securely in place when walked on. You don’t want a rug sliding out from under you and causing a serious fall. A slip and fall due to a sliding rug can easily lead to a back injury, broken bone, or concussion.

Household Products/Prescription Drugs

Store household cleaning products and prescription medicines in a secure location out of reach of your children to avoid accidental poisoning. At the same time, teach your kids to respect “non-play areas” such as your tool shed or bathrooms to avoid the risk of accidents.

Check Smoke Alarms Regularly

Check the batteries on your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they’re functioning as they should. These devices are your first line of defense against injury from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Lastly, keep your home insurance current for protection against accidents that may occur on your property. To update your home insurance coverage, contact Blue Hen Insurance LLC in Middletown, DE.

Home Insurance is an Important Way to Protect What Matters

Posted on May 19, 2023June 10, 2023 by admin

Protecting your home is vital. It’s a big investment and holds so many memories. Plus you want to have a safe and secure place for you and your family to enjoy. Whether you’re just getting started with buying your first home or you’ve owned a house before and are looking to relocate, Blue Hen Insurance LLC can help. We serve the Middletown, DE area and are here to answer your questions about insuring and protecting your home.

Getting The Right Coverage For Your Home

Don’t settle for a subpar insurance policy because it might not cover everything that matters. Instead, working with a trusted, professional insurance agent can give you a quality policy and peace of mind. You don’t have to choose a policy with guesswork or base it on anything but knowledge and sound information. The more you know about your options, the easier it is to choose the right one.

When you need a home insurance policy, there are a few specific things you want to consider. Your lender may have certain requirements your policy has to meet, but beyond that, there are additional coverage opportunities to think about. Some homeowners want to have more protection than the minimum required. If you plan to do that, though, an agent can help you choose what works for your needs.

We Are Here To Help

If you’re in the Middletown, DE area and looking for home insurance, reach out to Blue Hen Insurance LLC today. We can help you choose a policy that’s right for you and that gives you all the protection you need without adding a lot of extra coverage that might not be necessary or helpful to you. Then you’ll know your home is protected the right way, and you’ll also have peace of mind you can feel good about for the long term, too.